Ducey: DCS did not respond to U.S. Senate inquiry on foster care

The Republic's political team on Oct. 4, 2017, discusses the class-action lawsuit against the Department of Child Safety, the development of the U.S. Senate race in Arizona and Vice President Mike Pence's visit. Johanna Huckeba/azcentral.com

So how did Arizona fare? Hard to know, because the state never responded to the April 2015 request sent to all 50 governors.

Gov. Doug Ducey's office said the request came at a time when the state Department of Child Safety was undergoing "leadership changes" and busy with "other reforms." Specifically, the Senate's letter arrived soon after Ducey had fired director Charles Flanagan and promoted Greg McKay to lead the struggling agency. It also came less than two months after a federal lawsuit was filed alleging rampant problems with the state's foster-care system.

But not to worry: Ducey's office added "(W)e continue to work closely with our federal partners to share Arizona’s experiences and the process DCS uses to provide oversight of and ensure safeguards for children placed in foster care situations."

Arizona was not alone in its crickets response. Sixteen other states also gave the senators the cold shoulder. And apparently that's OK: The Senate Finance staff said the request was voluntary and they weren't going to use a heavy hand to compel testimony.